Jesse Garcia passed from this life on April 27, 2012 shortly after being diagnosed with cancer. He was preceded in death by his father Pablo Garcia, sister Stella Nunez, and brother David. He is survived by his wife and constant companion of 36 years, Margarita Alfaro and sons Jesse, Wenceslao, and Leonardo Garcia, also his mother Ernestina Garcia, brothers Paul, Joe, and Tom, sisters Mercy Arrevallo, Virginia Garcia, Molly Diaz (Demetrio), and Sylvia Benalcazar (Raul); plus being a part of a large and living 6 generation family. He also has numerous sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, too many to count.

Jesse was born in Los Angeles, 1 of 10 children, eventually settling in Gilroy, in the early 1960's. On his 17th birthday, he persuaded his mother to sign him over to the Navy recruiter to join the Navy. Jesse returned to Gilroy after serving his country for 4 years during the Vietnam War. He was stationed on the U.S.S. Hornet and later on U.S.S. Yorktown. Jesse was always proud of having served in the Navy.

After his release, he worked many odd jobs including cannery work, postal clerk, and as a hospital orderly. At the age of 26 he decided to take advantage of the GI Bill and go to college. He enrolled at San Jose State University, working 2 part-time jobs and going to school full time, graduating in three years. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Management) in 1973, impressive for someone who never finished high school.

He started his Aerospace career by working at Lockheed-Martin for nearly 20 years, then on to Space Systems/Loral for a few more years.

Jesse changed direction and became a Mobile Notary Public for several years working with various Real Estate Lenders before returning to Aerospace, finally retiring from BAE Systems.

Jesse enjoyed spending time with his family, having B-B-Q’s, drinking a beer with friends and family, and listening to his oldies.

He was a loving husband, and a wonderful father, his children were the most important thing in his life. He was kind, considerate and passionate about life, a beautiful person inside and out. He will be missed by all his family and friends, but never forgotten.

Vigil Thursday, May 3, 2012 – 7:00 PM at Habing Family Funeral Home. Funeral Services Friday, May 4, 2012 – 10:00 AM at the funeral home. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Gilroy.